Relation between decreased anandamide hydrolase concentrations in human lymphocytes and miscarriage
M Maccarrone, H Valensise, M Bari, N Lazzarin… - The Lancet, 2000 - thelancet.com
M Maccarrone, H Valensise, M Bari, N Lazzarin, C Romanini, A Finazzi-Agrò
The Lancet, 2000•thelancet.comBackground Endocannabinoids such as anandamide are thought to have adverse effects on
pregnancy and embryonic development. The activity of the degradative enzyme
anandamide hydrolase may therefore be crucial for prevention of excessive concentrations
of anandamide in the uterus, and thus prevention of pregnancy failure or female infertility.
We tested this hypothesis in a preliminary study, and then used the results to find out
whether anandamide hydrolase activity could predict miscarriage in a group of pregnant …
pregnancy and embryonic development. The activity of the degradative enzyme
anandamide hydrolase may therefore be crucial for prevention of excessive concentrations
of anandamide in the uterus, and thus prevention of pregnancy failure or female infertility.
We tested this hypothesis in a preliminary study, and then used the results to find out
whether anandamide hydrolase activity could predict miscarriage in a group of pregnant …
Summary
Background
Endocannabinoids such as anandamide are thought to have adverse effects on pregnancy and embryonic development. The activity of the degradative enzyme anandamide hydrolase may therefore be crucial for prevention of excessive concentrations of anandamide in the uterus, and thus prevention of pregnancy failure or female infertility. We tested this hypothesis in a preliminary study, and then used the results to find out whether anandamide hydrolase activity could predict miscarriage in a group of pregnant women.
Methods
We assessed anandamide hydrolase activity in peripheral lymphocytes from 50 healthy, pregnant women at weeks 6–11 of gestation by a specific radiochromatographic method. The expression of the enzyme at the protein level was measured by ELISA with specific polyclonal antibodies. In a further study, we measured anandamide hydrolase concentration in 120 women who were 7–8 weeks pregnant and compared these findings with subsequent pregnancy outcome.
thelancet.com
